Georgia governor race heats up over data centers
Georgia gubernatorial candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson are debating data center development. Bottoms advocates for a moratorium to assess impacts, while Jackson supports rapid growth for economic benefits to rural counties. This debate is highlighted by local opposition in Bartow County to a proposed data center on environmentally sensitive farmland.
The Georgia gubernatorial race features a significant debate over data center development, with Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican candidate Rick Jackson holding opposing views. Bottoms, the former Atlanta Mayor, has called for a moratorium or "pause" on new data centers to allow for comprehensive information gathering and strategic planning. She acknowledges that while some areas might oppose, certain rural regions express interest in data center projects.
Conversely, healthcare executive Rick Jackson, the Republican nominee, advocates for accelerating data center construction in Georgia, particularly in rural counties. He argues that properly structured data center developments could lead to the elimination of property taxes in at least 70 counties, appealing to voters seeking economic benefits.
The controversy is exemplified by local opposition in Bartow County, where resident Marty Knight is actively fighting a proposed data center. Knight opposes the rezoning of pristine farmland west of Cartersville, citing concerns about endangered species, drinking water sources, and the irreversible environmental impact on what she describes as "virgin forests" and "mighty river." She supports correctly placed data centers but not on her family's property, underscoring the localized nature of the debate.